- Get out and enjoy the fresh air at least once a day for 30 min. If you’re concerned about others outside try early morning or evening or try less traveled roads. If you are high risk try opening the windows. Fresh air helps lift the spirits!
- Find time to move every day. If you don’t want to go outside there are many online videos that offer free movement classes for all abilities. Check out YouTube! If all else fails, turn some music and dance!
- Stay hydrated and eat well. Maybe take this time to try new recipes.
- Engage in repetitive movements. Studies have shown that repetitive movements (knitting, coloring, painting, clay sculpting, jumping rope, running, hopping, drumming, skating) can be effective at self-soothing and maintaining self-regulation in moments of distress.
- Reach out for help, our team is here for you. Keep consistent on medications, although we are physically distant we can connect virtually.
- Lower expectations! We are doing too many things at this moment under fear and stress. Accept everything about yourself, your current situation, and your life without question, blame or pushback. You cannot fail at this, there is no roadmap, no precedent for this and we are all truly doing the best we can in an impossible situation.
- Limit social media and COVID conversations. One can find tons of information on COVID-19 and it often changes minute to minute. The information is often sensationalized, negatively skewed and alarmist. Find a few trusted sources you can check in with and limit it to a few times a day.
- Notice the good in the world and the helpers. Despite all the negative press out there, amazing people still are powering thru and helping. The health care workers, the volunteers, even the grocery workers! Let them be positive role models for you to lift spirits.
- Find a long term project or something you can control. Clean out the junk drawers, purge the closets or garage, read a series of books. Find something to keep you busy with what is going on in the outside world.
- Remind yourself this is temporary. It may seem like it will never end but take time to remind yourself that this is a season of life and it will pass. We will return to feeling free, safe, busy and connected soon!